Ephesians 1:7b, 8
“according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,”
We addressed the "riches of His grace" the last time we were in Ephesians. Verse 8 adds some descriptors which deserve some focus. The first one says that His riches abound toward us. That's amazing. Most of us didn't come from wealth, but now we do. The Lord could lead us towards being rich financially. He would do so for us to bless others with it. They may bless others with employment, gifts, these may give for churches and ministries to have facilities and resources.
Most of us won't be rich with money. He blesses us with His riches in other ways. One such blessing is a cheerful heart. Proverbs 15:15 says, "All the days of the needy are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast." A continual feast is what the rich have. However, God fills us with His joy, which is better than food.
His riches are monitored by His prudence. We've all heard bad stories of the children of the wealthy. They've been spoiled or overindulged. Many of them have bad endings. There isn't prudence. The Lord gives us what we can handle at a rate at which we can handle. The parable of the talents demonstrates how he does this. He entrusts us with something. As we responsibly cultivate it, He gives us more. The result is another continual feast. We see ourselves being blessed.
It reminds me of the Prayer of Jabez, where he prays, "Enlarge my coasts", (I Chronicles 4:10). As we walk with Him, He blesses us. Our coasts are increased. Proverbs 4:18 says, "The path of the righteous is like the first light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day". Life in Christ gets better and better.
Where do trials fit in? John 15:2 says, "He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful." The pruning isn't enjoyable. Sometimes we are alarmed by what's going on. I Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you as if something strange were happening to you." They can be disorienting. God's got us. We can have peace and joy in these times. We have to keep our eyes on Him. Trust Him in the process. The purpose is to make us more like Him and to allow us to have greater use. His wisdom and prudence are at work to give us greater riches.
We don't deserve this. The longer we walk with Him we see it's His love and generosity. This is where our praise comes in. Throughout our days we see His endless goodness in a multitude of ways. Gratitude and thanks arise in us. Heavenly scenes in scripture have depictions of praise. We will be much more aware of all the ways we've been rescued, spared and blessed. We'll also be more away of the great sacrifice of Christ. How our sin put Him there and the enormous burden that only God could have born. "Now we see as through a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know, just as I am fully known", (I Corinthians 13:12).
Lord, thank You for Your riches. Your goodness and grace fill us to fullness. Thank You.